Easy Oven-Fried Italian Chicken Drumsticks
These Oven Fried Chicken Drumsticks are everything you love about fried chicken without the extra oil and mess. Coated in a flavorful Italian breadcrumb mixture and baked until golden brown, these chicken drumsticks turn out perfectly crispy on the outside while staying tender and juicy on the inside.
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Best of all, they’re easy to prepare with simple pantry ingredients, making them an affordable dinner the whole family will ask for again and again.
If you’re looking for an easy weeknight dinner that’s packed with flavor, these crispy baked chicken drumsticks are a must-try. The seasoned coating creates a delicious crunch while the dark meat stays moist and flavorful throughout.
Whether you’re serving them with mashed potatoes, green beans, or other delicious side dishes, this chicken recipe is a healthier alternative to traditional fried chicken and are just as delicious.
The Players for Oven Fried Chicken Drumstick Recipe
Ingredients:
- Chicken Drumsticks: I love using chicken legs for this recipe because the dark meat stays tender and juicy while the coating bakes up nice and crispy. Chicken thighs work just as well, or use a combination of both.
- Breadcrumbs: Seasoned Italian bread crumbs create a flavorful coating with very little effort. For an even crispier coating, you can substitute panko breadcrumbs.
- Eggs: Room temperature eggs help the breading adhere to the breadcrumb coating for these oven-fried drumsticks.
- Milk: I prefer to use whole milk, but feel free to use what you have at home for these crispy baked chicken drumsticks.
- Hot Sauce: Completely optional, but highly recommended! It adds a subtle depth of flavor to the egg mixture without making the chicken spicy. If you like more heat, feel free to add a dash or two more!
- Parmesan cheese: Freshly grated Parmesan melts better and has a richer flavor than pre-shredded cheese, making it my first choice for this recipe.
- Italian Seasoning: This classic blend gives the chicken its signature Italian flavor. If you don’t have any on hand, make your own by combining ¼ teaspoon basil, ¼ teaspoon rosemary, ¼ teaspoon thyme, and ¼ teaspoon oregano.
- Smoked Paprika: This brings a subtle smokiness to the breading without overpowering the chicken. Feel free to use plain paprika if that’s what you have.
- Garlic Powder: Garlic powder evenly seasons the breadcrumb mixture, giving every bite plenty of flavor.
- Onion Powder: Adds savory flavor without the texture of fresh onions.
- Salt & Black Pepper: This pair helps with flavoring and seasoning the drumsticks.
- Butter: Melted butter gives a crispiness to the chicken drumsticks that you would get if you fried them, but much healthier since we’re not using too much butter. You can also use olive oil if you prefer.
Tools:
- Large rimmed baking sheet – A sturdy baking sheet provides plenty of room for the chicken to cook evenly.
- Wire rack – Elevates the drumsticks so hot air can circulate underneath for a crispier coating.
- Meat thermometer – The best way to ensure the chicken is fully cooked to a safe internal temperature.
How to Make Oven Fried Italian Chicken Drumsticks
Preheat your oven to 375°F and place the oven rack in the center position. For easy cleanup, line your large rimmed baking sheet or jelly roll pan with aluminum foil first. Then set a wire rack on top and spray the rack with nonstick cooking spray.
Elevating the chicken off of the cookie sheet allows the hot air to circulate underneath, helping the chicken cook evenly and creating extra crispy chicken skin without needing to rotate the chicken pieces.
Make the Egg Wash
In a shallow bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, and hot sauce until smooth.
Mix the Breading
In a second shallow bowl, combine the Italian breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper until evenly mixed.
Bread the Drumsticks
Dip each drumstick into the egg wash, allowing any excess to drip off. Then coat it thoroughly in the breadcrumb mixture, gently pressing the crumbs onto the chicken so the coating sticks.
Place each ‘breaded’ drumstick on the foil-lined tray and repeat with the remaining chicken.
Drizzle the melted butter evenly over the tops of the breaded chicken drumsticks.
Bake the Chicken
Place the chicken in the preheated oven and bake for 50–55 minutes, or until the coating is beautifully golden and crisp and the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 170°F when checked with a meat thermometer.
Let the chicken rest for 5–10 minutes before serving. This allows the juices to distribute throughout the meat, giving you tender, juicy chicken with crispy skin.
If you’d like, garnish with chopped fresh parsley or a sprinkle of dried parsley flakes before serving.
Storage and Reheating Instructions
To Store:
Allow the chicken drumsticks to cool completely before transferring them to an airtight container. Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
To Reheat:
For the crispiest results, reheat the chicken drumsticks in a 375°F oven or air fryer for 10–15 minutes, or until heated through and the coating is crispy again. You can also microwave drumsticks for 1–2 minutes at 50% power until heated through.
Watch me make this Easy Oven Fried Italian Chicken Drumstick recipe on my YouTube Channel!
Pin it for Later!
If you end up trying this Easy Oven Fried Italian Chicken Drumsticks recipe, leave me a comment down below telling me what you served with this! I hope you love this as much as my family does.
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Easy Oven-Fried Italian Chicken Drumsticks
Ingredients
- 2 eggs room temperature
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1/2 tsp hot sauce optional
- 1 1/2 cups seasoned breadcrumbs
- 3/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp ground black pepper
- 12 chicken drumsticks
- 6 tbsp melted butter
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F and position the oven rack in the center. Place a wire cooling rack on top of a large rimmed baking sheet and lightly coat it with nonstick cooking spray.
- In a shallow bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, and hot sauce (if using) until well combined.
- In a second shallow bowl, stir together the Italian breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper.
- Dip each chicken drumstick into the egg mixture, allowing any excess to drip off. Roll the drumstick in the breadcrumb mixture, pressing gently so the coating sticks well. Place the coated drumsticks on the prepared wire rack. Repeat with remaining drumsticks.
- Drizzle the melted butter evenly over the tops of the chicken drumsticks.
- Bake for 50–55 minutes, or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 170°F and the coating is golden brown and crispy.
- Let the drumsticks rest for 5–10 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh parsley, if desired, and enjoy!
Video
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